Picture this: More than 140 Dodge Chargers, representing every generation of the iconic muscle car parading through the DaimlerChrysler Auburn Hills, Michigan complex. That’s the plan for 8:15 A.M. next Saturday, June 10th as the Chrysler Employee Motorsport Association (CEMA) celebrates the Charger’s 40th anniversary as part of its annual charity car show.

Brian Veit, a computer graphic artist from Waterford, Mich., knows the chance to drive his 1967 White Hat Special Charger in the parade may be a once in a lifetime experience. “Being able to participate in something that’s never happened before and may never happen again…it’s going to be quite an experience. It’s an honor to be part of it.”

Indeed, over the years, the Charger has remained a favorite, especially among the many Mopar enthusiasts, like Mark Milosevich. “I’m must a Mopar guy, that’s all,” Milosovech told TheFirehouse.biz. “If you cut my skin little Pentastars fall out. It’s just been Mopars, or no cars.” Milosevich, an engraver from Ferndale, Michigan, has owned a black 1967 Charger since May of that year. He’s driven it to the Indy 500 and Daytona 500 and the Woodward Dream Cruise. He’ll never take it to the junk yard



For Jerry Gardner, a 22 year employee at the Chrysler Group’s automatic transmission group, a childhood dream came true three years ago when he bought his 1972 Dodge Charger Rally, even though it could have very well gotten him in big trouble with his wife. “Saw this one in Trading Times magazine,” Gardner said. “My wife, said, yeah, go look at it, but whatever you do don’t buy it. I came back and said…oooo, sorry.”

Marc Rozman of Royal Oak, Mich., a dyno operator with 30 years of service to Chrysler and DaimlerChrysler, tools around in a 1969 Charger. He bought it six years, after he came across the car while looking to buy a Dodge Dart. “Chargers have always been a classy, sporty car to have,” Rozman said. “when I saw the car for the first time I thought, this is it, it’s too cool to pass up.”

Indeed, there’s been no car like the Charger over the years says CEMA communications director Roy Baker. “I think primarily because the car bridged gaps. It heralded the Muscle Car era. But when you examine all of those that were out there at the time, very few of them had any degree of practicality associated with them. These cars, although large, were able to actually facilitate transportation for people. Wasn’t just about 2 people and gee in a pinch, maybe put somebody chewing on kneecaps in the back,” Baker said.



High School student Jon Leslie wasn’t even a gleam in his parents’ eyes when the Charger made it debut 40 years ago, but he fell in love with a 6th generation 1987 model. He found it on the Internet and made the 13 hour trek with his father to Carlisle, Pa. to pick it up. After taking possession, they turned around and headed back to Michigan.

“It was way worth it,” said Leslie, of Sterling Heights, Mich. “The Charger is unique and doesn’t have styling like anything else. I have a great love for it and it’s a Mopar and of course everyone loves Mopar.”

A key element of the CEMA show is its continuing commitment to raising funds to support the efforts of the Children’s Leukemia Fund of Michigan. While entrance to the show is free, funds will be raised through sales of a raffle to win a one of a kind rebuilt 1947 Dodge Power Wagon powered by a Buick Nailhead engine—an effort led by the morning team from Detroit radion station WCSX.

CLF community development manager Betsey Bonnell says the money raised through CEMA goes a long way to helping families with children struck by leukemia.

“We’ve been involved with the CEMA show, this’ll be our third year. And every year they’ve raised more and more money. If we can raise $1,000 or $1,500 we’re providing services for one family for one year,” Bonnell explained. Mark and Kelly Greenwald’s seven year old daughter Sarah was diagnosed with leukemia two years ago. Mark is an IT manager at DaimlerChrysler.

The couple from Sterling Heights Mich. is grateful for the services the money raised during the CEMA show has helped provide.

Kelly: “We know firsthand, because of what we’ve gone through with our Sarah, the help at the very beginning, trying to make intelligent decisions with how we’re going to proceed with her treatment. They’ve been beyond helpful.”

Mark: “We were kind of in shock realizing your daughter has leukemia and how threatening that is, so assistance from groups, especially this group is very helpful. “



Little Sarah is hoping as many folks as possible will find the time to attend the show and buy some raffle tickets. “You should help out because you would save children’s lives,” Sarah said.

The CEMA charity car show will go rain or shine on June 10th from 9 to 3 at DaimlerChrysler headquarters in Auburn Hills.

Information on CEMA from Roy Baker:
“CEMA was actually started in the Highland Park days. It’was probably the most democratically founded association of motor heads known to man. We make no distinction to make and model you’re into, all are welcome."


TheFireHouse.biz